Wanted Down Under

[breward]

Anyone else put it on series record?

DH said, "You can tell it's January when deluded escapism is back on!"

I love it, but have no intention of ever moving to Oz.

[Alohamora]

Claire Sweeny!!! That's who she reminded me of .

[lavazzzalover]

im watching it now on BBC2 and she is so high maintenance!

[Oldraver]

She was so friggin obsessed with a walk in wardrobe...is it this centurys en-suite/utility ?

Also, they were both self employed and looked like they had the ability to do hours to suit, so why on earth didnt they take a bit of hit on family income to spend the coveted 'family time'.

[Oldraver]

Todays family....your average family thinking the grass is greener..

[228agreenend]

I'm really surprised that today's family (Bomes?) ended up going to Australia. They had no job, house, and gong to an area which costs more to live, to an area they originally didn't want to go, and may need a longer/larger mortgage. They said they would have to work harder to pay the deficit. This is contrary to 'more family time' .

[EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard]

I'm not usually keen on the catch up shows because of how long they spend on the original programme before telling you what happened, but today's was very moving. It was the guy who'd had a very serious motorbike accident where he's had a long struggle to recovery.

Well worth a watch I'd say, they seem such a nice couple.

[Davros]

I remember that couple, they were lovely.
I'm WAY behind, just doing a bit of a catch up. In general though, the friends and family issue to me isn't about breaking Granny's heart etc it's about depriving the kids of their extended family

[228agreenend]

Watching the two revisited programmes today. I was so pleased for the couple this morning. It's good to see a couple being honest about how difficult the move was, and how things didn't go according to plan. Hope all works well for them.

Still watching the second programme.

[228agreenend]

I'm impressed with this family. They've made changes and are having more family life in the UK. As they said, the trip to Australia was the catalyst for change.

[Dolly80]

Just watched an episode of revisited and remembered this thread. The programme tends to frustrate and fascinate me in equal measure! Today's family were nice enough, they didn't annoy me like some of the others do the club singing couple.

However, I don't understand how many of them think they'll afford it. For example, today's family said 'it would have cost £30,000 to move' (flights, shipping, visas etc) I can't understand how this was surprising to them...Australia is about 10,000 miles away.

Would anyone ever consider applying to be on it?

[EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard]

I saw it today and I'm the same as you Dolly. Fascinated but frustrated.
First off there are comparison tools online which tell you about the current cost of living in different major cities and can allow you to compare directly with UK cities. Secondly, it seemed weird that they were talking about the high costs of taking all their stuff to Australia, and yet once they'd decided to stay here, were getting rid of things like the sofas and changing them anyway

A lot of the high costs of moving seemed to be because they were talking about a company applying for their visas and assisting them and also factoring rent when they moved, or at least I thought that's what was said.

The good thing about it I suppose, is that if people are hankering for a move and going on and on about it for years, like today's people, sometimes seeing for themselves and having it all spelled out this way, makes them appreciate what they have at home.

[EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard]

I forgot to say, the mega excitement at a walk in wardrobe always makes me chuckle.

[bakeoffcake]

Yes,it's a long way to go for a walk in wardrobe!

I think the people who go on this show mustn't have access to the Internet. That explains why they don't know anything about house prices, the job situation, salaires, cost of living, etc etc.

[Dolly80]

The walk in wardrobe adoration is amusing (doesn't do it for me I'm afraid, I'm happy with a boringly normal one!)

I also chuckle when families on there get off a 20hr+ flight and exclaim 'it was tiring' Hmmm, does tend to wear you out going to the other side of the world. (though at least by going they can understand just how far away from home it really is).

[RebootYourEngine]

I would love a walk in wardrobe or more like a walk in room. One that takes up a whole floor of a house. I wouldnt move 10,000 miles to get it though.

I am watching yesterdays one and that woman (gemma) is quite annoying. Of course you have seen each other more this week because you are on HOLIDAY.

[Oldraver]

I haven't seen any for a while, and missed where this family lived.

Oh just seen.....so they're asking for the world (swimming pool ?) when they live in what looks like a skanky ex council house

[gingerboy1912]

Omg this family have gone back and forth haven't they. But of a cliché though the surprise baby. Just wonder why he didn't do Australia or police force before he settled down.

[wideboy26]

I can't see how anybody who takes the trouble to research ideas thoroughly would logically consider emigrating to Australia. The people to whom it appeals seem to like riding cycles at the coast. What about more cultural pursuits? Family activities extend beyond riding bikes - they do in my case anyway.

[gingerboy1912]

If I see one more family spend the day walking in a park or going to a zoo I think I'll scream.

[Oldraver]

Well the exciting Dow Under lifestyle is line dancing today

[EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard]

Today's confused me, not least when, in the update Richele confused going to NZ with Australia

Apparently her mum, Lorraine, has a partner now too and he wasn't mentioned at all in the programme or the update.

Fair play though that they have ambitions and a plan to work towards.

[Oldraver]

Am I seeing things is is this woman pushing a pushchair around peoples bedrooms ? weird

[bigboypants]

I think this family may well spend the rest of their lives moving around to suit the Dad. He doesn't seem like he really wants to settle anywhere for too long.

[EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard]

I felt really sorry watching them this morning, the poor wife seemed really miserable about the continued upheaval.
He seemed to have a good career here and they were happy. Over there it was short term contracts and he was making the best of whatever the area had to offer only to diss it as soon as time ran out there and they were moving on.

Facebook update says they're settled now though and that she has a job working from home.

[RooftopCat]

Feel really sorry for the mum. She didn't seem happy at all. 'We have a pool, Louise said she'd move for a pool' - I bet she regretted ever saying that.
Dad was happy, kids were happy but she seemed to be just going along with for her family.
His boy from a previous relationship wasn't mentioned again. Dad was expecting him to come over for the 6 week summer holiday - but that wouldn't coincide with the Oz holidays - so I wonder who would be looking after his son while he was at work?? Hmm!?